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Friday, February 22, 2008
Book Perfect
Whoever said that lightning strikes once is dead. Wrong, that is. Let me tell you why. I'm the classic bookworm, not the type to go out much. I would immerse myself in my fictional world days at a time never minding anything except that. Thus, at the ripe old age of 23, I've never had a boyfriend nor actively looked for one. Oh, I would sometime wish myself the same raptures that some of my lovestruck friends have found. But, only momentarily, for I would always go back to my fictional world of books where everything beautiful is possible. A dreamer, I guess. But, I had no desire to be awakened. So there I was, happily traipsing through the romance novels and whodunit mysteries I so love when D-day came. It was a perfectly normal eve. My mother was preparing our dinner and I was in the living room with, of course, the requisite, never without, pocketbook of the day (that's how fast I gobble up books!) when lo and behold a good-looking, really tall guy came knocking on our door. I was, quite literally, struck dumb. Here I was, still in a rosy-colored mood from my current reading of romance novel and a dashing guy comes knocking on my doorstep? Am I being put to the test, I asked myself? I resolved not to be swayed by some mysterious forces I believe quite determined to wreck my book-perfect, albeit fantasy world. I am after all, perfectly fine and happy with it. "Uhmm, yes?" I asked the guy after several moment of staring at his seemingly perfect face with its chinky eyes, chiseled nose and thin but well-shaped lips. But, I obstinately thought to myself, no one can beat the good-looking hero on my current book of the day. Why, he's too perfect to even be touched by this mere mortal. "Uh, well. I'm Gabriel, Nhoriel, your cousin's friend? He told me to meet him here," the guy said, staring at me quite expectantly. My, I thought, he's quite tall. Come to think of it, he does have a fighting chance with my book-perfect hero. "Oh, he went out just now," I said doubtfully. And, not wanting to, but driven by years of being taught on good manners and right conduct first at home and then at the all-girl Catholic school I've attended all through elementary and high school, "Would you like to sit down and wait for him here? He should be back any minute." He smiled beautifully and I wanted to retract my invitation then. Feeling that I'm letting myself in for something I'm not quite sure what. But, there's no turning back for he was stepping inside and with a nod of trepidation from me, went right on ahead to sit on our sofa. And, thus it started. We talked hesitatingly at first but more comfortably after. I learned afterwards that my cousin, who used to teach me so much for being such a homebody, set it up in such a way that I can't refuse him. He made his friend come to the house so we could meet. He already told Gabriel much about me. It was a heady and frightening feeling. To be pursued by someone that good-looking and nice and sweet. I tried to fight it at first, spending more time with my school friends just so I could see if I'd miss him. And I did, so much that I finally admitted that real life can't be beat. Real people who shows you how special you are are just too precious to be let go. And, that no matter how much you hide from the world, whether it be books or cars or pets or a favorite hobby, you can't be excused. People will always touch your lives and you'll be blessed and enriched. I have never been more so. Gabriel and I have a beautiful daughter now. We married a year after meeting each other. Growing more loving each day. And, its not the book-perfect union I imagined it would be for we do fight and squabble some days. But, its even more real and mature because of it. I would never trade any of it. What I am right now, I am because of the people I love and who love me in return. I would like to think of my life now as a well-loved book. More beautiful with each passing page. Richer with new and varied characters and more valuable with age and tear. My hero is real and he came in the name of Gabriel. Love strikes not once but every moment that you rejoice with the people you're with. Be struck again and again and be happy with it. It is for real.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Grateful
I chanced upon the blog of my former work batchmate. I didn't really get to talk to her, then, and I feel that it was a missed opportunity. From her blog, I see that she's a wonderful person. Really strong and full of life and love. Reading her entries, you'd know that she's dealing with a lot. She's ill, she can't work because of her illness, one of her children has autism, and her husband's a jerk. Just seeing the list would make your head ache, and she has to deal with it. A lot, really. But, her blog, inspite of its seriousness, has an underlying message of hope and fortitude. She's shouldering on and she's doing it in a way that makes you see that unfortunate things do happen, reality sucks sometimes, but you should never let it suck you up. I admire her. And, I thank her for making me realize how grateful I am for all that He has given me and my loved ones: love, life, and health. That problems are just that, problems. They come and they go but you're still the same you. Rather than being the sad and negative you, it's better to be the happy and optimistic you. We all have mountains to surmount and I'm just glad that blogs serve as medium with which we can share our trials and triumphs. It just works as a red flag sometimes, reading someone else's struggles and continuing hope and perseverance, for us to always work hard in being happy and grateful not inspite of, but, because of Life. Wednesday, July 12, 2006
To Preen or Not to Preen
Just had my 15 minutes of fame. My company testimonial with my half-body picture on it was featured on the classifieds section of the Manila Bulletin last July 2. It is their hope that I encourage more applicants to my rarefied company through the ad. It felt weird to see myself on the newspaper. But, I definitely liked seeing my written piece on print. It felt like I'm a certified writer already (my ardent wish) even though it's just a small piece. Anyway, my family went crazy over the paper. I felt happy that they were proud of it. Such loyal supporters. I wouldn't have it any other way. I just had to keep a copy for myself. It's not everyday that I get to see myself on print. Pride's a sin, but, I just had to be excused this one time =) Tuesday, June 06, 2006
To Each His/Her Own
Let me take the liberty of taking this out of context. I'll be using it to refer to couples or two people in a relationship and there's an extra (terrestrial) someone wanting to butt in (literally). Now, it need not be said that the act or even the intention of taking someone or something that is not yours is, well, just plain b_ll s _ _t. Not that we look on our partners as possesions but we'd appreciate it if others would respect the "Hands Off, Taken" sign we all but put in for all the world to see. Of course, it takes two to tango. So, we can't disregard the fact that our partners ultimately have the say in things. But, you know how a person instinctively feels when someone is making a play on your partner? Especially with women? No offense to the male species but they can be pretty dense about this. Or it doesn't matter that much to them. That, even if they do know it, they just feel flattered and think that they can handle it. But, it's different with women. We know that proximity breeds temptation. And, that even if a guy says that it doesn't matter, it does matter. A lot. To us, and our peace of mind about our relationship. For most of us women, avoidance is still the best answer to a definite threat to a relationship. We don't say it to our partners, but, if we could, without being accused of being possesive and jealous, we'd say to avoid that officemate who seem to be always around him in meetings and hovering during breaks and downtime in the office. Or to lessen the get-togethers with that female classmate or a friend who seem to have an awful lot of time just to ask how he's doing. Or to make pasama somewhere. Gosh, the ploys are sometimes so obvious you can just puke. Like, duh, are you that desperate you'd have to make a play for another's boyfriend or worse, husband? There are lots of available guys and gals out there. You don't have to make a play for someone just to feel that you're attractive and that you're irresistable. Respect the relationship that two people have made. I assure you that they've both put a lot of effort into it. It's an unspoken and sacred rule that, unless a person is totally free; mind, heart and legality, you must NEVER try your charms on that person. Not only are you risking your eyes being scratched out (for women), or getting beaten up (for men), but putting shame on that age-old adage of what's Jane is Jane's as Tarzan is. Saturday, May 06, 2006
Mystery Slave
I have always had a fascination with mysteries: novels, games, movies. I love the thrill of the intellectual hide-and-seek with the climactic expose. Whodunits are a sure grab for me. No surprise that among my favorites are Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys books. I loved Cluedo (I just don't like playing it anymore because of my uncle co-player who has a decided tendency to cheat rather wily). I also am a fan of all CSI movies (although I boycotted CSI Miami at first feeling that they're usurping the original CSI team). Surprisingly though, my couch detective tendencies never extended to anything more than that. No great inclination to pursue actual detective work. It was a good thing really since that line of work is not popular and therefore unrewarding here in the Philippines. I don't think I'm cut out for police or NBI or intelligence work, either (low pay and all the running around for clues using circa 1800 tools and methodologies? No thanks!). But, then, I admire those people who are in these kind of work especially in the Philippines. I believe that aside from hard work, it takes a lot of guts to do actual investigation. In my previous work, I was at one time, assigned to handle files pertaining to work financial claims. There were death certificates and autopsy reports and it bothered me after some time. Possesed of a fertile imagination, I can't quite keep myself from thinking about the bodies of the persons on those papers. Once, I even had to steel myself to take the papers personally from a mourning widow! I found I can't be clinical about it all and decided to resign from there. That experience made me all the more amazed of the people who make a lifetime's work out of it. Sure, the CSI phenomenon makes it seem like a glamorous job but I believe its all hard work. There is also the painstaking lab work and the emotional strain that ties with it. So, I'd go on enjoying my safe and comfortable mystery-solving in books and fiction. It's all fun to think about them in the realm of unreality. To just enjoy putting the pieces of the puzzle together and come up with the answer. With me, its a vice really. Saturday, April 01, 2006
Recognition Day
My CSR kindergarten daughter, Chantelle, had their Recognition Day last March 28. Good thing it was my rest day. My husband, though, had to take a leave off work so he and I can both attend. The kinder students wore a costume of the profession/work they want to be in someday. My daughter told her adviser that she wanted to be a nun (and, this coming from a 5 year old who, most of the time, squabbles noisily with her friends and classmates!). But, nun it is and so we went to Quiapo to have her costume tailored. Pricey costumes and all, my daughter and her classmates looked really adorable in their little workers outfits. Aside from Chantelle the Nun, there was Lloyd the Marine Officer (complete with gold shoulder bars), Kristine the Nurse (with the cap), Ashford the Dentist, JB the Motorcross Racer, Christine the Teacher, Kim the Police, a funky streetdancer, and others. There was a short program where the kids showed off their dancing and singing prowess. They were really cute, small arguments, uncoordinated movements, little pushing between them and all. Watching my daughter up on the stage, I felt both proud and happy. My little girl is growing up so fast I hardly have time to take it all in. A year from now, she'll be in grade school. Soon, it will be high school and then college. But, I'm getting way ahead of myself and I really do want my daughter to enjoy each and every minute of her life. Children really are a joy. There are hardships, sure, with the complex juggle of family, work and finances, but it doesn't really weigh at all. At the end of the day, when you're surrounded by the people you hold most dear, happy and content, you can only thank Him for the many blessings, hard work included because you're able to provide for them. When our family went up on stage to receive Chantelle's gold medal for being the Most Friendly in her Kindergarten class, I see her life journey unfolding. We, her parents, promise to be there with her every step of the way. Monday, March 13, 2006
Of Life's Ties
When I delivered that happy and hopeful speech in my senior year in High School about our journey just beginning and that we're all excited about the coming changes and how we'll still keep in touch, I really meant it. I didn't think for one moment that it would be the last time our batch will be together. I had this naive and quite foolish notion that, life, family, and careers notwithstanding, we can still get together. It's been more than a decade now. After trying unsuccessfully, it seems, to get even my five closest High School friends together; I realized that that dream is doomed. Life, it seems, has a way of making people form bonds that either lasts or lets up. It is sad. Even when you know that a friend is doing really well in a foreign country, successfully busy in a chosen career, or is even happily attached to someone, the distance and the virtual non-communication dampens the happiness and pride that you feel for him/ her. That's why in every uttered word of "That's great!" or "I'm very proud of you" over a friend's ebullient news of work or personal commitment, underneath it lies a regretful acceptance that things will be taking a sad change. The bonding time such as coffee, movie, or dinner get-togethers will dwindle if not disappear entirely. Add to that, the consequent significant moments (birthdays, anniversaries, birth, etc) in your and your friend's life that will be missed. There will be changes that, sometimes, you'll feel like you're losing friends. But, that's how it is. We meet people; we form bonds, lose touch and then meet new ones. I guess one just has to get used to it. Anyway, people that really matters to you, you'll find ways on how to treasure, distance notwithstanding. Also, communication nowadays is very much aided with technology with planes that turned weeklong travels into hours, cell phones (text and calls), computers (emails and chats), that surely it won't be too much of an effort to get in touch with friends. Although, nothing beats physical presence, those commiserating hugs, the hearty laughs, the high-fives, the pat of the hand, we make do with what we have. Hmm, technology can sometimes be cold but it definitely has its use. So, why don't you go send an email, text a message or even call your friend? I assure you, it won't go unnoticed. And, those emoticons? They do come in handy. |
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